Link closing machine having magazine loading clip



Feb. 13, 1962 H. STEGMAIER 3,020,704

LINK CLOSING MACHINE HAVING MAGAZINE LOADING CLIP Filed Dec. 11, 1959 3 Shets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 H. STEGMAIER 3,020,704

LINK CLOSING MACHINE HAVING MAGAZINE LOADING CLIP Filed Dec. 11, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

- Hermann Sfegmaier no.3 l

ATTORNEY Feb. 13, 1962 H. STEGMAIER 3,020,704

LINK CLOSING MACHINE HAVING MAGAZINE LOADING CLIP Filed Dec. 11, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. Hermann Stegmaier ja /W ATTORNEY FIG. l0

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This invention relates to a machine for joining together several links or pieces, and more specifically to certain improvements in the machine as disclosed in U.S. Patents 2,680,344 and 2,713,765 for handling and closing open end links, as for example links employed in the making of costume jewelry.

The links disclosed in the above identified patents, directed to my prior joint invention, consist of breached or open end wire circles or links held together in bar form by a suitable cement. The links so joined were readily separated from the bar seriatim when the links were to be closed to join together two or more links or pieces of costume jewelry.

In certain operations it has been discovered that the cement covering the individual links for joining the same in bar form interfered with subsequent plating operations to which certain of the assembly pieces were subjected.

Therefore, it is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved link clip or cartridge in which the links are loosely and independently connected thereto and free of any coating of cement or other binder for joining them together.

Another object is to provide a novel locking means for retaining the last few links of one clip in proper aligned position during a reloading operation of the machine with a new link clip for insuring uninterrupted operation.

Still another object is to provide an improved arrangement for individually selecting the links one at a time and to maintain the alignment thereof during the feeding operation so as to minimize the danger of having the links jam the machine in operation.

The various features of novelty which characterize this invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation View of a link handling and closing machine embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged detail view taken in perspective of the improved clip for supplying the machine with a supply of links.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

'FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail plan view of the link gripping and holding assembly.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 55 of FIG. 4 showing the feeder bar in retracted position.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, but illustrating the relative position of the bar in the raised position.

FIG. 7 is a perspective detail view of the movable jaw member.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged front view detail of the fixed jaw member.

FIG. 9 is a rear view detail of the fixed jaw member.

FIG. 10 is a detail side view of the feeder bar.

FIG. 11 is a detail front view of the feeder bar.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 1212 of FIG. 4.

Sttes Patent 0 f 3,020,704 Patented Feb. 13, 1962 FIG. 13 is a detail perspective view of the link locking means.

FIG. 14 is an exploded plan view of the link aligning means.

FIG. 15 is a schematic circuit diagram of the air lines for operating the machine.

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a jewelry piece incorporating the use of a breached link.

FIG. 17 is a left end view of FIG. 4 shown in perspective.

Referring to the drawings, the machine 20 for closing breached or open end links, and for example jewelry links, comprises a base 25 on which the machine rests. Connected to the base 25 and extending upwardly therefrom is a post 26. Fixed in the post 26 adjacent its upper end is a single acting, spring return compressed air press 27 having an intake line or hose 2 8 and a piston rod 30 which is adapted to be forced downward by the compressed air and restored upwardly to inoperative position by a suitable spring in a known manner.

Mounted on the base 25 is a frame plate 3 1 and spaced thereabove by corner posts 32 is a second plate 33. Mounted between plates 31 and 33 is a double acting compressed air press 34. Press 34 is provided with upper and lower air intake tubes 35 and 36, respectively, in which the air flow therethrough provides positive movement of the cylinders piston rod 37 in either vertical direction, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.

Compressed air presses such as shown at 27 and 34 are well known and available in many different sizes from Air-Mite of Chicago, Illinois. Therefore it is not deemed necessary to illustrate or describe their internal constructions as their details do not form a part of this invention.

The piston rod 37 of press 34 extends upwardly through aligned openings in plates 33 and 38 secured atop the latter and has an upwardly extending feeder bar 40 secured to the upper end thereof in a suitable manner as by fasteners 40A. The feeder bar 40 is adapted to extend upwardly within a housing block 41 fixed adjacent the opening of plate 38. Housing block 41 is suitably hollowed out and cut away, as shown, to receive a facing block or fixed jaw member 42. The fixed jaw member 42 is secured to the housing block 41 by screws 43. The rear surface 42A of the jaw member 42 is provided with an accurately cut vertical groove 44 in which the feeder bar 40 is adapted to slide. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 9 the groove 44 over a substantial portion of its length is deepened to form a lubrication well 46. At its upper end the jaw 42 tapers and forms at the apex thereof a concave are as at 47. Also the stock on the rear side of the jaw 42 is cut away to form the nose or gripping portion 47.

The other or movable jaw is provided with a concave-.

ly arcuate edge nose portion or gripping portion 48 located on an upward and lateral extension 50 of block 51. The block 51 is pivoted for movement relative to fixed jaw 42 to housing 41 at its lower end, as will be herein described.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the face of extension 50 abuts groove 44, and the nose 48 thereof is positioned to co-operate with nose 47 of the fixed jaw 42 to grip the article or link fed up through groove 44 by feeder bar 40.

Adjacent its lower end, block 51 is provided with a bore '52 in which there is journaled a sleeve 53 through which a bolt 54 extends for pivotally connecting the block 51 to the housing 41. Block 51 and its extension 50 are thus pivoted to the housing 41, and nose 48 capable of being swung away from nose 47 to free the article or link held therebetween. To maintain nose 48 in gripping position a rod 55 extends rearwardly from the block 51, and adjacent its free end there is secured a depending rod 56. Coiled about the depending rod 56 is a coil spring 57 which acts against plate 38 and against rod 55 to rock block 51 to normal position, that is in gripping co-operative relationship with nose 47 of the fixed jaw.

Extending laterally from housing and substantially horizontal thereto is a magazine 58. The magazine comprises essentially an elongated bar 59. Located in the upper edge of bar '59 is a longitudinally extending groove or channel 60, which is illustrated as being arcuate or circular in form and has substantially less than 180 of its periphery opening on the upper edge. See FIG. 12.

According to this invention a novel link clip 61 is provided by which a supply of links 62 may be readily loaded in the magazine 58 upon the removal of collars 61D. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the clip 61 comprises an elongated bar or rod 61A which is generally circular in crosssection having substantially less than 180 of its upper portion truncated or cut away in a horizontal plane to provide a fiat 61B. Depending on either side of the fiat 61B is a shoulder portion 61C. The arrangement of the rod 61A is such that a plurality of breached links 62 are externally supported thereon, preferably in close, touching relationship as shown. The open end of the links 62 are arranged to ride the shoulders 61C on either side of the fiat 61B. Thus it is to be noted that the links are prevented from rotating about the rod 61A by shoulders 61C, and consequently each is maintained in aligned position on the rod 61A. As seen in FIG. 2, a length of the rod is extended beyond the end links. To prevent the links 62 from sliding off the rod during handling, a collar 61D forms a stop at each end of the link column. With the link clip 61 described, it will be noted that each link 62 is individually supported and retained on the rod 61A without resorting to any kind of cement. Thus subsequent plating operations to which certain finished articles are subjected are not hindered.

In accordance with this invention the clip 61 is wholly inserted into the magazine channel 60 and retained therein during operation of the machine. With the clip 61 in place, a follower 63 is inserted into the channel 60 behind the last link, and acts to move the row of links 62 toward the gripping means 47, 48. The follower 63 is progressively pulled along channel 60 as the links 62 are successively withdrawn by a cord 64 which is threaded over suitable pulleys 65 and 66. The free end of the cord 64 is secured to a counterweight 67 which provides the motive power for the follower 63.

Channel 60 extends clear to the groove 44 in the fixed jaw 42, as herein described. As the follower 63 pushes the column of links 62 forward, the links are Withdrawn one by one from the channel 60 and raised upwardly through groove 44 to the gripping noses 47 and 48 by the reciprocating feeder bar 40.

In accordance with this invention, the inner end of the clip 61 when in position, is spaced slightly inwardly of the front end 60A of the channel. This may be readily ascertained by a set screw 68 which forms a stop for the clip 61. Thus several links 62 are, during operation always, located between the forward end of the rod 61A and the front end 60A of the channel 60 and are retained in the channel free of the clip rod 61A.

In order to assure that the breach or open end of each link 62 is properly positioned and individually selected for feeding so as to minimize the danger of jamming the machine, the following selecting means 69 is provided. See FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 14. A plate 70 is secured atop the channel bar 59 at the forward end thereof by screws 71. A set screw 68 threaded through a top hole 72 extends downwardly into the channel 60 and forms the stop to limit the extent to which the clip rod 61A may be inserted into the channel 60. If desired the stop screw 68 may be unscrewed so as to permit the end of the clip rod 613 to extend slightly beyond the set screw, so that upon threading the same down, the set screw 68 is brought to bear against the fiat 61B of the clip rod 61A. As seen in FIG. 14, a second plate 73 is slidably connected to the fixed plate 70 by means of dowels 74 which are adapted to slide in bore 75 of the fixed plate 70. Spring 76 retained in the bores 75 normally urges the sliding plate 73 against the fixed jaw 42.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the sliding plate 73 is urged against a rocking member 77 disposed in an opening 78 in the upper end of the fixed jaw 42 midway between groove 44. With plate 73, as described, the open ends of the links are disposed immediately against the lower surface of the plate 73, which lies flush with the top of the channel. Thus, the open ends of the links are prevented from being rotated out of position. As seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the rocking member 77 has a width which is less than that of the groove 44 and divides groove 44 into two channel-ways 44A, 44B. A leaf spring 79 anchored by a screw 80 biases the rocking member 77 toward the sliding plate 73. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 the rocking member 77 is provided with an inclined surface 77A at a location immediately above channel 60 and is adapted to be first engaged by the link 62 being fed to groove 44. Thus as the link 62 moves from channel 60 to groove 44, the breached or open end of the link 62 is brought into immediate engagement with the longitudinal sides of the rocking member 77. As the ends of the link 62 move upwardly along the rocking member 77, the inclined portion 77A is engaged first by the link and then the feeder bar 40, rocking the member 77 about a fulcrum 81 outwardly of opening 78. Since the ends of the link 62 are always in engagement with the sides of the rocking member 77, just before they are rocked into channelways 44A, 448, the vertical centering of the open end link 62 is assured. After the link 62 and feeder bar 40 pass the fulcrum point 81, the upper portion of the rocking member 77 will likewise be rocked outwardly for delivering the link to noses 47 and 48 with the breached end of the link vertically centered.

It is to be noted that the sliding plate 73, normally urged, against rocking guide 77 minimizes jamming, as well as to facilitate clearing of any jam which may occur. For example, the groove in the fixed plate has a depth of .036 inch. The links are dimensioned to substantially .036 inch. In the event an oversized link, say .038 inch, is fed to the jaws, the oversized links can nevertheless pass upwardly through the groove 44 since the sliding plate 73 will give to permit passage thereof.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the upper edge of the feeder bar 40 is provided with a concave seat 40A for engaging the links. To prevent inadvertent rotation of the links, the seat 40A may be provided with serrations or teeth. Also the feeder bar 40 is provided with a slight bend as shown in FIG. 10.

The construction is such that the feeder bar 40 moves the links upwardly one by one to the gripping noses 47 and 48 which hold the same under tension of spring 57. The face of extension 50 is, of course, suitably formed to allow a link 62 moving upwardly in groove 44 to cam the same outwardly a short distance. While a link 62 is held between gripping noses 47 and 48 with the feeder bar 40 still engaging the same, the pair of jewelry pieces that are to be connected by the link are engaged over opposite ends of the link 62 and the press 27 is actuated to close the same. The means operated by press 27 to close the link consist of a chuck 82 which is mounted on the piston rod 30 of the press, as shown in FIG. 1. In obvious manner, depression of the chuck 82 onto a link 62 held by noses 47 and 48 closes the same.

The closed link is removed from the gripping noses 47 and 48 by the next link fed upwardly by the feeder bar 40.

It will readily be seen that a means is required to operate the lower press 34 to raise feeder bar 40 and maintain the same in raised position, to operate cylinder 27 to depress chuck 82, and to operate the press 34 in reverse to lower the feed bar 40 to pick up another link 62.

Means to these ends are extremely well known and the diagrammatic showing thereof in FIG. 15 is deemed sufiicient for a full disclosure of the invention. The air tubes 35 and 36 for operating press 34 in opposite directions are connected to a foot switch or valve 83 which is operable in either of two directions to connect one or the other of tubes 35, 36 to a main tube 84 leading to a source of compressed air such as tank 85. Tube 28 for upper press 27 is connected to a foot switch or valve 86 which in turn is connected to tank 85 by a tube 87.

It will readily be seen that to obtain the required sequence of operation described above, all that is required is to operate valve 83 in one direction, operate the valve 86, and then operate valve 83 in the opposite direction.

In accordance with this invention, means 88 are provided to permit reloading of the magazine channel 60 with a full clip 61 without causing the remaining links of a partially used clip already in the channel 60 to tilt and thereby create a possible jam of the machine. This means comprises a locking device for locking the links 62 in the channel 60 so that the rod 61A of the exhausted clip may be removed, and a new loaded clip inserted into the channel. As shown, the lock means 88 comprises an angled slide 89 which is adapted to slide transversely of the channel 60 in a groove 90. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 13, the horizontal leg 89A of the slide passes under a plate 91 spanning the slide groove 90. A spring 92 seated in a bore 93 of the plate 91 urges the slide 89 laterally and away from the channel 60. A stop pin 94 fixed to the slide 89 limits its outward movement.

As shown in FIG. 4, the inner face 89B of the slide 89 forms a wall portion of the channel 60, and in the inoperative position is spaced outwardly of the channel 60 a slight amount so as to permit the free passage of links 62 thereby. See FIG. 4. When the clip 61 is about to be exhausted of its links 62 a lever 95 is rotated to move the slide 89 inwardly of the groove 90. This movement effects engagement of the links 62 disposed opposite the face portion 89B and causes the links 62 to be wedged and locked between the face 89B and the opposed wall portion of the channel 60. If desired the opposite wall portion of the channel may be formed by a fixed block 96 having an arcuate shaped face 96A to conform to the outer edge of the links 62.

As shown the vertical leg 89C of the slide 89 is rounded to form a camming surface. The lever 95 is also provided with a cam surface. Thus, upon rotation of the lever 95, the respective camming surfaces are engaged to effect a transverse movement of the slide 89.

With the links so locked, the rod 61A of the exhausted clip can then be readily moved without causing the links 62 remaining in the channel 60 to tilt by doing so. A new loaded clip is then inserted into the channel 60 as hereinbefore described. Upon insertion of the clip, the lock means 88 is released, and the machine is thus readied for another series of uninterrupted operation. As shown in FIG. 13, the inner face 89B of the slide 89 is provided with corrugations which are dimensioned to equal the size and shape of the links 62.

In FIG. 12, there is shown an earring 97 which has its fastening means 98 connected to a lower pendant portion 99 by means of a link 62 pressed to a closed position by a machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

While in accordance with the provisions of the statutes there is illustrated and described herein the best form and mode of operation of the invention now known to the inventor, those skilled in the art will understand that changes may be made in the form of the apparatus disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention covered by the claims, and that certain features of the invention may sometimes be used to advantage without a corresponding use of other features.

What is claimed is:

1. A machine for closing open end links comprising a magazine having a channel, a clip rod containing a supply of loosely mounted links adapted to be received in said channel, means for feeding the links along said channel, gripping means connected adjacent one end of said channel for receiving and holding a link in position to be closed, means for successively stripping the links from said clip rod and feeding said links from said channel to said gripping means one after another, said clip rod being readily removable from said channel upon removal of the links therefrom, means for locking the last few links prior to the exhausting of the links from said rod within said channel to retain the loose links in proper position within said channel upon removal of said rod and for facilitating the insertion of a new loaded clip in said channel.

2. The invention as described in claim 1, wherein said locking means comprises a slide adapted to move transversely of said channel, means normally biasing said slide away from said channel, and a means for camming said slide toward said channel to engage said loose links in said channel.

3. The invention as defined in claim 2, wherein said slide has a corrugated face portion, corrugations of said face portion being spaced to the dimension of said links to facilitate the engagement of the slide with the links in the locked position of said slide.

4. The invention as defined in claim 1 including means for insuring individual selection and proper alignment of said links feeding from said channel to said gripping means to minimize danger of link jamming.

5. A machine for closing open end links comprising a magazine, having a channel, a clip containing a supply of loosely mounted links adapted to be received in said channel, said clip including an elongated rod having longitudinally extending, parallel shoulder portions for loosely retaining the supply of open end links in position relative to each other thereon, means for feeding the links along said channel, gripping means connected adjacent one end of said channel for receiving and holding a link in position to be closed, means for successively stripping the links from said rod and feeding said links from said channel to said gripping means one after another, said rod being readily removable from said channel upon removal of the links therefrom, and means for locking the last few links prior to the exhausting of the links from said rod within said channel prior to removal of the rod for retaining the links in proper position within said channel after said rod is removed to facilitate the insertion of a new loaded clip in said channel.

6. A machine for closing open end links comprising a magazine including an elongated bar having a longitudinally extending channel, said bar having a groove extending normal to said channel adjacent one end thereof, a clip containing a supply of loosely mounted links adapted to be received in said magazine channel, said clip including an elongated rod having a fiat upper surface defined between a pair of longitudinally extending parallel shoulders for retaining the supply of loose links in position relative to each other thereon, means for feeding the links along said channel, gripping means connected adjacent the discharge end of said magazine channel for receiving and holding a link in position to be closed, means for successively stripping the links from said rod and feeding said links from said magazine to said gripping means one after another, said rod being readily removable from said magazine channel upon removal of the links therefrom, means for locking the links in said channel for retaining the same in proper position within said magazine channel to facilitate removal of said rod after said rod has been stripped of a substantial portion of its links, said locking means including a slide mounted in said groove for movement transversely of said channel, said slide having a face portion adapted to engage the links positioned in said channel opposite said slide and free of said rod, means normally urging said slide away from said channel, and means for camming said slide toward said channel so that the face portion of said slide is brought into engagement with the loose, free links in said channel to lock the same between the face of said slide and the opposite wall portion of said channel.

7. A machine for closing open end links comprising a magazine bar having a channel extending longitudinally thereof, means for supplying loosely mounted links in said channel, means for feeding said links along said channel, gripping means connected adjacent one end of said magazine channel for receiving and holding one of said links in position to be closed, said gripping means including a fixed jaw and a jaw movable relative thereto, said fixed jaw having a groove extending normal to said channel and in communication therewith into which said links are fed, a feeder bar slidably mounted in said groove to seriatim feed said links to holding position, means for operating said feeder bar, means located in said groove for guiding said links through said groove, said latter means including a spring loaded rocking guide projecting inwardly of said groove whereby the open end of a link straddles the guide to prevent link rotation as the feeder bar moves the link through said groove to holding position between said jaws, and means permitting individual selection of said links as they are successively fed from said channel to said groove to insure proper alignment of the link open ends with said guide, said selecting means including a sliding plate positioned immediately over said channel to prevent displacement of the loose links in said channel, and means for normally urging said sliding plate against the said rocking guide.

8. A machine for closing open end links comprising a magazine bar having a channel extending longitudinally thereof, a clip containing a supply of loosely mounted links adapted to be received in said channel, said clip including an elongated rod having longitudinally extending shoulder portions for loosely retaining the loose links in position relative to each other thereon, means for feeding said links along said channel, gripping means connected adjacent one end of said magazine channel for receiving and holding one of said links in position to be closed, said gripping means including a fixed jaw and a jaw movable relative thereto, said fixed jaw having a groove extending normal to said channel and in communication therewith into which said links are fed, a feeder bar slidably mounted in said groove to seriatim feed said links to holding position, means for operating said feeder bar, means located in said groove for guiding said links through said groove, said latter means including a rocking guide projecting inwardly of said groove whereby the open end of a link straddles the sides of said guide to prevent link rotation as the feeder bar moves the link through said groove to holding position between said jaws, and means permitting individual selection of said links as they are successively fed from said channel to said groove to insure proper alignment of the link open ends with said guide, said selecting means including a sliding plate p0sitioned immediately over said channel to prevent displacement of the loose links in said channel and means for normally urging said sliding plate against said rocking guide.

9. The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said selecting means comprises a plate fixed to the top of said channel bar, a second plate slidably connected thereto, and means for normally biasing said second plate against said rocking guide means, said selecting means permitting only one properly aligned link at a time to be fed to said groove.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9 including locking means, said locking means comprising a slide adapted to move transversely relative to said channel, means normally biasing said slide away from said channel, and means for actuating said slide toward said channel to wedge the links opposite said slide in said channel to prevent tilting when the clip rod is removed.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,984,873 Fullman Dec. 18, 1934 2,257,509 Morrow Sept. 30, 1941 2,713,765 Capellazzi et a1. July 26, 1955 

